The End of Dieting: How to Live for Life

Family physician Fuhrman (Eat to Live) continues educating his audience about solving health issues via the nutritarian lifestyle—a diet based on high-nutrient foods. Fuhrman discusses food addiction and emotional eating, the "toxic" standard American diet, and essential habits for health, before taking aim at five popular diets. From the "foolishly and dangerously excessive" Paleo diet to the "potentially harmful" low fat vegan diet, Fuhrman spares no punches in dismantling each—including the often-cited Mediterranean diet. Instead of calorie or carb counting, Fuhrman suggests one simple change: "eat lots of natural plant foods." Fuhrman bolsters this platform by citing numerous peer-reviewed studies that provide evidence for the health impact of the plant-based superstar "G-BOMBS" (an acronym used to remember nutrient-dense foods: greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries, and seeds). With a few guidelines summarized in a checklist, he outlines the nutritarian lifestyle and provides sample menus both for those pressed for time and for those who enjoy cooking. Some meals are simple enough to not require recipes, but many are included, such as "Baja Mango Black Bean Lettuce Wraps" and "Black Cherry Sorbet." Carnivores will find that meat takes the very back seat of the nutritarian bus, but is allowed in limited quantities. With recommendations for acceptable commercial food products such as breads, a discussion of supplements, and a comparative cost analysis, Fuhrman provides a complete guide to dietary change. (Apr.)